WHERE DO WE GO

Written by Leon De Vose II

Now, where do we go now as an Alumni Association? Do we go back to our lives, oblivious of what has happened to the vision for the Phoenix, or do we work to reinforce it?

Do you realize that there are about 4,000 SWAS/UHS graduates in its 42 years of existence? Do you realize that the age range of our alumni is from late teens to late 50's (or early 60's)?

How many of our original SWAS teachers have retired, or passed on?

I really enjoyed spending a day with such a variegated crowd of people, almost literally hand-selected to experience a dynamic and innovative way to conduct Public High School.

However, I was saddened when I began to think about whether anybody really cared about what we were supposed to be for the city of Newark.

is it because you did not achieve as you thought you should? Who has? I was 71 out of 71, finishing last behind a classmate who left in February of our senior year to enlist in the Marines. I barely graduated - in fact I had to go to Summer School for gym & health to get my diploma. Did the 44 month experience of SWAS/UHS produce anything in me? The answer is a resounding YES! I will share how in a future post.

There is so much we can accomplish - together - all 4,000 of us. We can restore the aura of distinction that our peers in other schools tried to beat out of us. We can ensure that today's alumni-to-be graduate with AT LEAST the same high quality and competitive preparation that at least I had. Why is there no alumni association scholarship fund?

Fellow alumni, it is time to establish a lasting legacy that restores, reinforces, enhances and perpetuates the vision.

THIRD TIMES THE CHARM - IT'S A BBQ

Yes we are back again at the start of another summer of sun and fun and to get everything going, we are back at University High School for the 3rd Annual Alumni BBQ. The last two were incredible and with each year, the attendance has grown. It is estimated that more than three-hundred will grace the courtyard with many coming back from out-of-State. Do I hear Massachusetts, California, Virgina, Pennsylvania, DC and North Carolina ... IN THE HOUSE this year?!?!?!  

We have a great team of Planning volunteers across several Classes so the Alumni coverage is covered there. Maybe we'll get a few current graduates to come back after the ceremony for at least a burger or two.


Extras this year will be activities for the children of Alumni (Face Painting, and the Water Spring was a big hit), T-Shirts, a Health and Wellness Adviser on-site and crossing our fingers, a surprise Guest or two.

Last year we had more people, more food and I guess because of that, more people stayed to the end. You can't get mad at that; music, fun, food and more than enough activities to keep the kids busy while Mommy and Daddy act like kids themselves, the only thing that ended the festivities were the announcements to help clean up.

Nuff' Said.

 As always we do need your help prior to the event. The UHS Alumni Association in partnership with the University High School Class of 2011 would like to ask our members for VOLUNTEERS. We need people for to assist with food preparation and two committees openings; Setup and closing; Clean-up Committees.

You will be working alongside UHS Alumni setting up tables and chairs as well as food preparation for the event on Friday (Pre-Setup) or on Saturday, June 25, 2011. We will need at least five (5) to six (6) individuals for the event.

The 3rd Annual Alumni Association BBQ will be from 12pm to 6 pm and those volunteering will arrive two (2) hours early on Saturday, June 25, 2011. For more information you can call the school at 973-351-2010 or respond on Facebook at The 3rd Annual Newark University High School Alumni Association BBQ.


ALSO FOR ADVANCE DONATIONS AND SUPPORT FOR THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION:

Click on the PAYPAL link to make online donations --> 

AND NOW IT BEGINS

Considered a small academic institution in comparison to the Newark, New Jersey high school community, University High School offers a strong curriculum in the humanities and the sciences. The school was founded in 1969 as School Within A School (SWAS), housed within South Side High School; currently Newark Malcolm X Shabazz High School. SWAS was designed to provide college preparatory classes to Newark students. In 1977, the institution moved to historic High Street, currently renamed to Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Like the names of its predecessor school and street, SWAS was renames like leaders and legacies that inspired it, SWAS was changed to University High School to indicate both purpose and proximity to the major universities neighboring it such as Seton Hall and Seton Hall Law, Rutgers and Rutgers Law, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Essex County College and Stevens Institute of Technology. The school excelled in leaps and bounds and with much political and community support transformed again. Rather than stay limited, the program moved from its experimental phase into a promethium of academic success and reputation,  In 1982 University High School transformed thus again, growing beyond its small location in into a larger, more academically accessible building where it is currently located within the affluent Clinton Hills section of Newark, New Jersey's South Ward which by coincident is not far from its original roots as SWAS. The location previously named, Clinton Place Jr. High. was renamed University High School; School of Humanities, Law and Education.

Students are recommended for admission by their elementary guidance counselors. They face a battery of standardized tests and must submit recommendations. This process has produced a student body composed of young people who have demonstrated academic motivation, intellectual curiosity and high achievement during their elementary school years. These students continue to excel through such extracurricular activities as sports, the award winning Phoenix Flame newspaper, ACT-SO competitions, National Forensic Debate Competitions, and Student Leadership groups among others.

We continue to grow. University High School is now home to the Gifted and Talented Program. Students are accepted after passing a test. They are taught a rigorous curriculum, in a departmentalized setting, which includes Algebra, English I, and a world language, in addition to traditional course work in their grade level.

The Information Age is very much with us, as we integrate technology into our curriculum. We boast an electronic card catalog, various electronic data bases, and computer labs. University High School's ITV room has become a hub of activity, as we offer and receive courses. 

In 1997, New Jersey Monthly Magazine named us as the second highest school  in our District Factor Group.   This ranking is based on several factors, including  combined SAT scores, percentage of students passing the HSPT11, percentage of Advanced Placement subjects tested, and the amount of daily instruction time, among other criteria.

The School Leadership Council at University High School is a collaborative, decision making body dedicated to improving all aspects of teaching and learning.